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Planned Parenthood asked a federal judge on Tuesday to stop Oklahoma from blocking it from participating in a federally funded nutrition program that helps poor women and children at three clinics in the Tulsa area.

The request, filed in federal court in Oklahoma City, appeared aimed at combating a move similar to those taken by conservative Republicans in more than a dozen states over the past two years to eliminate funding for health services provided by Planned Parenthood.

The non-profit women's health organization has administered a federal program called Women, Infants & Children for 18 tears in Oklahoma's Tulsa County, but the state health department said in September it would let other clinics provide the services, blocking Planned Parenthood from taking part.

That decision followed a failed attempt in the Republican-controlled Oklahoma legislature in May to prohibit WIC benefits from being administered by Planned Parenthood because it provides abortion referrals.